Tag: Korean Air

It's that time of the year again, the time when the year just plain ends. Alas, we can't just let 2014 go that easily, especially since travelers spent it both up in the air and up in arms over a crazy range of topics. Now we take a brief look back at the best and worst of 2014 with the Jaunted Travel Awards,or as we fondly refer to themThe Jauntys.

When it comes to wacky travel news we do our best to cover it from each and every angle, so we can say with some confidence that we’re well within our ability when we name our pick for wacky travel news story of 2014. Although there were many strong contenders, the recent “nut-rage” situation is our pick for the year.

A Korean Air Airbus A380 was delayed on departure from New York's JFK Airport for a very nutty weird reason Friday; there was an onboard disagreement over the presentation of the warm nuts given to Business and First Class flyers before takeoff.

Whether the issue concerned what was (or wasn't) said when the nuts were served or how they were or weren't served, there's no doubt that something went wrong enough to arouse the anger of Korean Air executive (and daughter of the chairman), Heather Cho. Her reaction to a slip-up in the service was to command the aircraft back to the gate at JFK and have the offending crew member removed, causing the flight to take a delay.

For an opinion on the matter we deferred to our friend, and airline catering authority, InflightFeed. What's the correct way to serve nuts in a premium class, disregarding airline-specific fripperies?

The folks over at Korean Air have run an annual photo contest for over twenty years now, and yet this is the first time we can recall having heard of it. Ah wellbetter late than never, especially with premium travel as a prize.

The contest for travel photographs is now open, and they're welcoming your entries in the search for the best of the best for this year’s theme—Pleasant and Memorable Travel Moment.

Last time we reported on Korean Air's "Excellent Boarding Pass" program, specific details were vague and travelers were unsure how to best take advantage of its still-developing perks. But the airline has improved the transparency of the program greatly over the past few years, and we now have a list of all the deals and discounts you can receive by flashing your Korean Air boarding pass.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· American Airlines:It looks like the new American Airlines is on the move again, as the carrier already has their eyes on the summer weather and some new flights. It sounds like they’re more than ready to move forward with new nonstop flights between Dallas-Ft. Worth and Shanghai, as the planes and people are set to hit the skies for the first time on June 11.

Daily flights will be an option aboard some Boeing 777-200s, and flights were opened up for your booking pleasure earlier in the week. In case you’re looking to call ahead to arrange a taxi—your flight will leave Dallas at just before 11am and will arrive at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport the following day at just before 3pm, all times local.

· Copa Airlines:For those looking to head to Central America there’s a strong possibility that Copa Airlines will be flying toward your desired destination. It sounds like they’re ready to add more options to their route network, and they have their eyes on Florida. The plan is to do the nonstop thing between Fort Lauderdale and their hub down in Panama City.

The new flights should head into the clouds beginning on July 11, as Boeing 737-700s will do the flying between the two countries. This is destination number four for the airline in the Sunshine State, and overall they’re now flying to eleven destinations in the states.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· United:It’s not official just yet, but if things go according to plan United will soon be sending some more planes and people across the Atlantic. The plan is to start nonstop service between Chicago and Edinburgh beginning on May 22 of 2014. Boeing 757s are set to do the flying, so it might be a little cozy—with the single aisle and everything—as the planes head overseas. Flights will do their thing four times per week at first, and then will be bumped up to daily between June 12 and September 1. After that things will go back down to four times weekly between September 2 and October 5.

· Korean Air:It’s been a couple weeks since the A380 took off from Atlanta, and it looks like things are going well. Korean Air recently started up nonstop A380 service between Atlanta and Seoul, as the world’s biggest plane arrived at the world’s busiest airport. Korean Air has been flying between the two cities and countries since like 1994, but the upgrade to the super jumbo jet is certainly welcome. For now A380s will head back and forth three times per week—with a little pause towards the end of the month. Beginning on October 27, it’ll be all A380s all the time on the daily flights between the two destinations.

Last week, we dished on Air Pacific's brand new airplane, new look as Fiji Airways, and even mentioned how to test out the fresh bird.

Just the thought of Fiji seems exotic, pretty far away, and difficult to get to. Exotic, yes. Far away, sure. Hard to get to, not at all. With major airline routes and cruise ship itineraries, you too can set your watches to Fiji-time soon. If you just can't wait and feel the need to wiggle your toes in the sand while enjoying a sunset like the one above, here are our recommendations to get yourself to the middle of paradise:

We’ve seen all kinds of advertisements and stuff scrolled across our boarding passes—even a little Sudoku game now and then. Now there’s an airline upping the ante on the boarding pass offerings, as they’re handing out their own version of coupons, discounts, and other deals. Sure it’s a chance for them to sell a little bit of advertising and making a couple bucks, but maybe you’ll actually benefit.

It’s Korean Air that’s getting into the boarding pass coupon-clipping game, as they’re releasing something called “Excellent Boarding Pass.” Like we said a minute ago, it’s all about providing benefits and discounts to stuff like restaurants, movies, banks, and kind of anything else where you can save a few dollars.

In the midst of the bustle of travel, it's all too easy to overlook the details. We're talking about special touches others have stressed over just so you can enjoy a unique experience, whether you know it or not. Every so often we'll highlight The Little Things like this, so now you will know.

Remember Midwest Airlines? They delighted passengers for years by servinb complimentary warm cookies onboard. Then they were taken over by Frontier and, though Frontier tried to keep the cookie tradition alive, they eliminated the treats earlier this year.

It's hard out there for an airline, trying to stay in the black while still giving passengers a little extra something special. But then there's Korean Air, who still offer a free dessert that get all your seatmates talking: in-flight birthday and honeymoon cakes.

The modern airport is for so much more than simply leaving a flight. These days, they features everything from excellent eateries to spas, and even a library in Amsterdam's case. Well, the SkyTeam alliance is fully aware that their member airlines fly to some of the coolest airports in the world, and they wanted to show off a bit with a video series of famous names showing around their favorite hubs.

Granted, we've already featured the Pam Ann-takes-LHR video, but up until today's web searching, we didn't know there were more to the series. Enjoy!

With all of the drama and outrage about certain airlines decreasing baggage limits, charging for extra baggage, and even (over)charging for carry-on baggage, here is a story that make you feel excited to fly. Yes, Virginia, there is happiness in flying.

Believe it or not, there are airlines that don't nickle and dime their passengers by charging to check a bag in the belly of the plane. And there are even airlines that have chosen to get even more liberal with how much they allow you to stuff in one suitcase. Or even up to three suitcases. We can't be more excited for these new rules.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· JetBlue:It’s always exciting when JetBlue has a new route to announce, and this week they’re getting us all hot and bothered with their newest option to and from Bogotá, Colombia. The new flights will start up on May 7 and will do their thing between Fort Lauderdale and Bogotá. Planes are scheduled to leave Florida around 8am, and the flights back to the nifty fifty will depart from Colombia around 11:30am. JetBlue is particular excited about this new route, so they’re even offering initial fares for as low as $99 each way. We can taste the blue chips already.

· Korean Air:The big bird is on the move, as it sounds like Korean Air is sending one of their Airbus A380s all the way to Atlanta. The carrier is still ironing out all the different details, but the plane could be headed between Seoul and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as soon as January of 2013. The airport is still finalizing a couple bits and pieces of airport infrastructure to welcome the new plane, so hopefully the shiny new Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal will be one of the first to welcome the A380 to Atlanta.